Window guide



. e E 5 l 2 t R e Y 9 e 9, m 4 NF m 7 Av l E Y O Mu., A m am. w n s 2 J.H. ROETHEL WINDOW GUIDE Filed April 4, 1941 July 10, 1945.

July. l0, 1945. J, ROETHEL` 2,379,925

` WINDOW GUIDE Filed April 4,' 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 if' b :d J L/ 1M6253974 5" INVENTOR ATTORN EYS.

i Patented July 10, 1945 UNiTED STATES PATENT- o FFICE 111 `WINDOW GUIDEl John H. Roethel, Detroit,A Mich., assigner to Marvel EquipmentCorporation, Detroit,`Mich.,

`acorporationof Michigan o Application April 4, 1941. serial No. 386,782

` 6 Claims. (c1. 29e-44.5)

This` invention relates to window control mechanism, particularlyalthough not exclusively adapted for use inconnection with vehicles andespecially automobiles. In general the 'invention' contemplates theprovision of improved means for guiding the window panel in the desiredpath, usually in a vertical direction in connection with the principalwindows of present day automobiles.

4panel which may be arranged below and near the center of the panel,`theimproved construction of the guiding means being such as-to hold thewindow panel for travel in a straight line path against anymaterialftendency to tilt or cock or( shift transverseto its plane. l l

It is also an object of the invention to` provide improved roller guidemechanism for a sliding window panel which is compact, relatively simplein construction, easy to install, relatively inexpensive to manufacture,eliicient and more nearly frictionless in operation than heretofore.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved center orintermediate guide structure for a window panel particularly useful inconnection with automotive vehicles, in which a pair of verticallyspacedguide` devices on the lower edge of the panel, particularly rollers orwheels, cooperate with axed guide in the1window well and are normallyheldin one guiding position through resilient means, such as'an inslamming of the door of the car.` l Y A A further object of theinvention isto provide a center or intermediate guide structure for awindow panel in which guide devices on the panel cooperate selectivelywith xed `guides in the window well Jand are normally held throughresilient means in one guiding position although capable of shifting toanother guiding position with respect to the `iixed guides, theconstruction and arrangement beingsuch `as to provide a simple, lcompact and more nearly frictionless guiding means for the window panel.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part `of this specification wherein like `reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

f. Figi 1 is aninner fragmentary `side elevation, par tly broken awayand partly in section, of an automobile door embodying the invention.

p Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a portion of theguide structure including the fixed guides within the window well andthe guiding means depending from the loweriedge of the window panel.

Fig. 8` is a section` taken substantially through lines 3-3 of Fig. 2looking in the direction of the arrows. l

Fig. lis an enlarged tially through lines fil- B of Fig.' 1 lookinginthedirection of the arrows. l n l Beforeexplaining in detail the` presentinventionfit is to` be understoodlthat the invention is not limited inits applicationto the details of construction' and o arrangement ofparts illustrated inthe accompanying drawings,` since the inventionilscapableof other vembodiments and ofbeing practiced orcarriedout invarious ways.

Also it is tofbe dnderstood thatthe phraseology or terminology employedherein is `for the" purpose of description and notoflimitation, and itis not intended to limit `the invention claimed herein beyond therequirements of the prior art.'

` In the drawings there isillustrated a `certain embodiment of theinvention applied,` byway of example,1` to an automobile door. such asfa.

front door of an automobile. It will be understood, howeveiythat theembodiment hereinlex.

vertical section taken substantially through lines 4--4 of Fig. 2lookingin Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken substan-` ible types,which are 'adapted to be shifted horil- 4zontally or swung in agenerally vertical direction l into open and closed positions. Where thein vention is used in connection with window panels movable otherwisethan in a straight line'ver.V

tical path, it will be understood that the parts in general-will bere-arranged to accommodate the .particular selected path of movement ofthe panel. In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a front door D of anautomobile including upright side pillars I and II joined by a :headerI2, thus providing a window frame, in the form of a closed gure defininga main window opening adapted to be closed in part by means of avertically slidable glass or other transparent panel I3. In thepresent-instance the remaining portion of the window opening is closedby means of a wing type panel I30 of conventional type, the panels 13andY |30 being separated by a Vertical guide bar I3a which may either bevattached to the forward edge of the panel I3 or fixed within thevertical adjusting slot 21 adapted to receive screws 28 and 29,respectively, by means of which the carrier unit I1, I8 may bedetachably connected to the vertical flange of the angle bar IB. Thescrew 29 is adjustable within the slot 21 to permit the angularity ofthe carrier to be Varied e slightly in order'to line up the window panelI3 with the rear upright edge of the wing panel |30.

The carrier member I1 is constructed to permit connection thereto of theswinging arm 32 of a window regulator `and to facilitate easy assemblythereof with the guide structure. In the present instance the bar I'Ihas a relatively long laterally extending arm pressed to provide ahorizontally extending voffset portion 30.` This off- I setportionhouses a channel member 3I whose Vertical web maybe spot weldedto the back wall 30a of theoffsetv3'0. The inwardly extending flanges ofthe channel 3| have V-shaped portions Bla providing diverging terminalflanges 3 Ib. The swinging arm 32 of theregulator is provided with aheaded stud 33 adapted, as shown in Fig. 8,

to be interlocked with the constricted portions 3 la within the guidewayof `the `channel 3l. The

stud 33 is riveted to theregulator arm at 33a,:and is yieldingly heldinposition by means Yof 'a conical washer 34 influenced by a4 compressionspring 35 and engaging the tapered faces; 3kb. The connecting channel 3lfor the regulator; shown in Fig.. 5, .terminates short of theliendof theoffset 3D so as toprovidegan open space .1302) into .which` the headed.stud 33 may Yenter in order. to shift'the stud,through the end iofv thewindow opening to .provide a guide for the corresponding edge `of thepanel I3 when raised and lowered. The window frame pillar II may beprovided with a groove or glass run-way channel Ill, terminating at thebottom of the window opening and designed to receive the correspondingedge of the panel I3. l-.

Secured to the lower edge ofthe glass panel g I3 is a, channel bar orglass retainer member .I5 to which the window regulator and the movableguide means are adapted to be connected. A`

depending angle member I'o having a top horizontal flange IIia is spotwelded tothe bottom of theretainer channel I5. Detachably. connected tothe vertical flange of the angle barl is a carrier which, as shownparticularly'in Fig. 5, comprises a pair of supporting members or platesI'Iand I8. The plate or baril extends `horizontally and engages theinner face of the angle bar I6, .being provided with ashort dependingeXtension I'Ia. The plate or bar I8 extends vertically and overlapstheface of the member I1 at the locality of the extension I'Ia and issecuredlthereto, as by spot welding, as shown in Fig. 4.- Thus, thecarrier members VI'I andgl are permanently secured together and areinthe form of a T-structure. The-depending extension I8 of the carrierrotatably supports a series of guide devices which in the presentinstance are in the form of rollers or wheels |49, 20 `and 2l. Therollers I9 and 2| are in vertical alinement and vare mounted to revolveor turn on xed studs or pivots 22 andn 2li,V respectively, carried bythe member I8. The intermediate roller or wheel 20 is yieldingly mountedand is supported t0 rotate upon a stud orpivot 23. The construction `ofthe several rollers or wheels will `I oewmore fully describedhereinafter.V

i mediate'gspring pressed roller 20 normally coopguideway. formed bythe-channel 3 I, therebyY as sembling the regulator arm .withthe'carrierbar I'I. The window regulator may be of anysuitable type andin.thepresenttinstance comprises a, single. arm regulator `:in which thearm. 3211s pivoted at 3Bto a mountingplate 3l secured by screws` to`theinner door or body panel. The arm1..32 is attached toa gear `38driven the usual manner .by a. pinion controlledLfrom a handle shaftatftheglocality` 39. ,e

yWhera asinjthe present illustrated example, the inventionisutilized inang-automobile front door. having a split Awindow...and khaving the barI3a movable downwardlyinto; the4 window well withthe sliding windowvpanel I3,` the -carriergbar I'I 'may be extendedlaterallygs'o.thatthelower en-d of. the guide bar: iz3a.may1be attached to the endwofthecarrier barfI'I. To accommodatethis` purpose the bar vI'I 4inthe-present instanmeV has an extension. 40 .terminating in f a. flangeportion 4I .'into, whichthe lowerend ofthe guide bar `13a maybe.tted,holes42 being provided for the purpose of receiving l:screwsinl` order to attach the partstogether. l

The Vwincl.oW..-panel I3 is guided in a generally vertical `directionthrough the medium of .the rollerguide devices I9, 2|] and ZI whichcooperate with.` a pair `of fixedqupright channelH guidesmountedlentirely within'the window well below the lower edge. ofAthewindow opening andpreferably at a point substantially centrallylocated .between opposite ends. of the vwindow panel. uThe xedrollersfor `wheels-I9 and 2I together cooperate normallygwith a1 channelguide-43 andthe intererates with'a channelguide 44. The -upperjends ofthese guides are supported in xed longitudinally spacedl relationwithinbthe well through the medium of a suitable bracket 6I angedforattachment Ato the innerdoor orbodypanel-62j-of the vehicle. As showninfFigs.. G Iandn, A*the guide 43 has spaced side flangesterminatinggmaconnecting web rolled or Vformed toiprovi'de alprojectinggenerally `V-shaped rib 43a forming. atrack along the length of thechannel guide. The oppoi site channel guide 44 also has spacedsideflanges terminating in a connecting web rolledrorotherwise formedwithaV-shaped channel `or groove 44a. The dii/erging 'sides of this grooveorchannelterminate preferably in flat faces44b.` w

V "The guide rollers I9 and 2| are preferably identical inconstructionland each` `in `the present instance is formed from twometal blanksoflcomplementary construction. As illustrated inFig.` 6,each roller or wheel I9 and12 I lis formed with two annular concave i or`dished portions S45 andi 49 varrangedface to face andfspot weldedtogether.

These portions flare outwardly toprovide-divergt ing tracking Vportions41 and 48forming an annulargroove aroundlthe periphery ofthe. wheel`periphery of the wheel or rollerzi's-forrned Awith.

converging-taperedportions 54 and 55 adapted to t into the V-shapedgroove or channel 44a of the guide 44.` The wheel 20 is anged centrallythereof, similarly to the rollers I9 and 2 I', to i'lt upon the bearingportion 23a of thestud 23. The stud 23 is riveted to the outer end of aswinging link 51, the opposite end of the link being pivoted upon thebearing portion 58a of a shoulder rivet 58 secured to the carrier memberI8. The roller 20 is urged toward the channel guide 44 by means of ersfrom beingcramped by the channel guides in l -such manner as to preventvthemlfrom'rotating when thewindow panel is raised.` and lowered. `At thesame timethe clearance space 56 prevents the roller 20 "fromIbeing.rcrarnpedabetween the channel guides. If lduringoperation of thewindow regulator a force is exerted thereon tending to shift the windowpanel longitudinally toward the `right inFig. 1, this action willberesisted by the spring pressed roller 20; However, the `panel can lshift inits plane longitudinally only to the extent of the clearances I,at which time the `rollers I9 .and 2| will trackalong the edges 44b ofthe guide terial or noticeable tilting movement. `In the event of anysuch slight tilting movement one ofthe rollersfl9lor 2| will 4trackalong oneachannel guide 44. At notime will the upper and lower rollersI9 and` 2| track eiectivelywith any `portions of both channel'guides soas to prevent free rotation ofthe rollers. f c

It will be seen thatthe vertically spacedarrangement of the rollerguidetdevices along the channel guide willhold the window glass againstany materialtiltingi or `cooking in its plane, the clearances 5Ibeinginsuiiicient.topermit anymaand the other roller.l9or2Ifwilltrackalong the a spring 59 having intermediate coils, one endof i the spring being anchored in a groove in an ernbossment 51a of thearm 51 and the opposite end of the spring being anchored to a lugllstruck out from the metal of the plate I8.

The spring pressed roller 20 at all times travels along the track 44a ofthe channel guide 44, in the manner shown in Fig. '1, and by reason ofthe selected diameter of this roller the extreme edge of the roller willbe slightly spaced at 5B from the apex of the V-shaped track 43a, thuspermitting the roller 2|) to rotate freely on the stud 23a as it travelsalong the guide 44. The rollers or wheels I 9 and 2| normally travelalong the channel guide 43 and by reason of the pressure exerted by thetheir peripheral grooves embracing the rib or track 43a and trackingtherealong. By reason of the selected diameter of the rollers I9 and 2|they will, as shown in Fig. 6, be normally spaced a slight amount at' 5|from the opposed faces 44b of the channel guide 44. Thus, the rollers.I9 and 2| will at all times `befreely rotatable upon their pivot studs22 and 24.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the window panel I3 is guidedfor up and down movement against any material tilting .c or cookingmovement in the plane of the glass. The rollers I9 and.v 2| haveeiective engagement normally only with the track 43a ofthe guide 43. Thepressure of the roller 29 against the guide 44 will normally hold theupper and lower rollers against the guide 43, the clearances spaces 5|preventing under such circumstances the upper and lower rolljoppositechannel guide. Itwillbe further seen that the intertting' relationbetween the rollers l I9 and .2 [and the trackportion 43a of thechannelguide .43, also the intertting relation `between the tapered periphery4.54, M55 ofthe roller 129. with the grooved track 44a of theichannelguide 44 will result in holding the window panel against movement in adirection transverse to the plane of the panel. Furthermore, the`relation of these parts is such that at no time, even under extremeconl ditionscan the rollers jump out of tracking rela` tion with theirguides, such as whenthe door is i slammed.

It will be noted that the track portion 43a of the guide 43 is reverseto the track portion 44a of the guide 44, the onebeing in theform of aV-shaped rib and the other being in the form of a V-shaped groove. Byforming the guide 44` with the groove 44a insteadof the tracking ribasiat 43a, it is possible to normally space all portions of the guide 44away from the rollers I9 and 2| so that any slight transverseV movementsof the rollers due to vibrations or closing of the door will not resultin either of the rollers I9 and2| contacting the guide 44 and causing anobjectionable noise.`

1. A vehicle body window structure having a window panel-mounted for upand down `movement in a window frame having a well,comprising a pair offixed upright guides comprising channels, one'with a rib track and theother with a grooved track, vertically spaced guide rollers including alongitudinally yieldable roller mounted on the eral rib lcooperable withthe grooved track, the

sides of said grooved track being normally slightly spaced from the rimsof the grooved roller but engageable therewith when the yieldable rolleryields` sufficiently in a longitudinal direction -to l permit suchengagement.

nels, one with a rib track and the others witha i grooved track,vertically spaced guide rollers in-` cluding a. longitudinally yieldableroller mounted operable witnsaid rib track and the other roller having ayperipheral rib cooperableV with lthe grooved track, each roller when in`engagement with one track being slightly spaced from and out ofengagement with the oppositetrackfthe rims of the `gro'oved rollerengaging opposite sides of the groove in the grooved 'track topositivelyguide the window panel when the yieldable roller yields sufliciently ina longitudinal direction to permit such engagement.

:3. A guide structure for a vehicle Window panel mounted tor up and downmovement, comprising a1pair`of vertically spaced guide rollers mountedon .the lower edge of the panel, a pair of upright guides, one guidehaving a projecting portion fitting into a peripheral grooveinone rollerand the other roller having a portion vfitting into a groove in theother guide, and means for yieldingly supporting one roller to permitlongitudinal displacement of the other roller for travel along eitherguide.

4. A guide structure for a vehicle Window panel mounted for up and downmovement, comprising apair of guide rollers mounted on the lower edgeofthe panel, a pair of upright guides, one guide having a projectingportion tting into a peripheral groove in one roller and the otherroller having `a, portion .fitting into a groove in the other guide, andyielding means permitting one roller toshift longitudinally in thedirection of the plane of. thepanel to travel selectively alongeither'guide. 5'. Aguide structure for a vehicle Window panel mountedfor up and down `movement,"comprising .i 6;` A guide structure for avehicle Window panel `mounted for up and down movement, comprising apairof vertically -spaced guide rollers'mounted l on the lower edge'of, thepaneLone roller being iixed with relation to the panel and the otherroller being yieldable longitudinally With respect to saidpanel, apaircof upright guides, oneguide having a projecting portion fittinginto a peripheral groove in oneroller and the other roller having aportion ittinginto a groove inthe other guide and yieldable means `for`holding one of said j rollers in position to travel on one guide butyieldable inthe longitudinal directionofthe plane of the window `panelto permit such roller vto 4shift slightly in a, longitudinal directiontoY travel on the other'guide.v4 g

, A JOHN H.ROETHEL.

